Marking device for recording apparatus



July 9, 1929 D. R. LovEJoY MARKING DEVICE FOR RECORDING APPARATUS FiledApril 6, 1925 llll lllull //V VE/V TOR fr l l s l s i l I I l l i l s lI I I l 5 l Patented July 9, 1929.-

UNITEn STATES PATENT orFlcE. Y

AIDIl'IYllVlIT'l R. LOVEJOiiY, OF FRENEAU, NEW JERSEY; SUSAN LOVEJOYNEIDLINGER -EXE(.`JU"..IB,IX OF SAID DIMMITT R. LOVEJOY, DECEASED. i

MARKING DEVICE FOR RECORDING APPARATUS. i'

Application filed Apri1 6, 1925. Serial N20. 21,141.

My invention relates to improvements in recording means, and the sainehas for\ its object more particularly the provision of a marking devicecapable of continued use for long periods of time without requiringattention.

Further, said invention-has for its object Vthe provision of a device ofthe character specified which is capable of use for long periods of time.without requiring the renewal of the supply of writing or markingfluid.

Further, said invention has for its object the provision of a device ofthe character specified in which the evaporation or drying up of themarking fluid will' be prevented, and the fluid maintained at a properconsistency and suitable for immediate use.

Further, said invention has for its object the provision of a markingdevice in which the feedingof the fluid is so controlled that thetendency to feed too rapidly and cause the same to blot will beobviated.

Further, said invention has for its object the provision of a markingdevice in which a surplus of fluid is maintained adjacent to the markingpoint or nozzle whereby to insure the proper production of a record.

Further, said invention has for its object the provision of a markingdevice which will be operative at all times to produce a mark orindication upon a chart.

Further, said invention has for its object the provision of a markingdevice which will insure a constant and uniform supply of writing fluidto the 'marking point or nozzle thereof.

Further, said invention has for its object the provision of a markingdevice, and a support therefor whereby the former will be maintainedduly in operative position at all times.

Other objects will in part be obvious, and in part be pointed outhereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends my inventionconsists in the novel details of construction, and in the combination,connection and arrangement of'partsV hereinafter more fully describedand then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is an end view showing one forniof stylus constructed according to and embodying my said invention, thesame being shown mounted' upon a recording instrument;

Fig. 2 is a side View of the device as shown in Fig. l; j

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the stylus;` l

Fig. 4 is a central sectional view of the stylus as shown in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail' side view, partly in section, of theholding means for the stylus.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a recording instrumentenclosed within a cas ing 10. It will. be understood that the stylusforming the subject of this invention may be applied to any recordinginstrument wherein a stylus cooperates with a recording chart. Therecording instrument shown comprises a clock mechanism 11 operating atrain of gearing 12, 13, to rotate a shaft 14 upon which is formed aworm 15. A-carriage or travelling member 16 is threaded upon said wormand is held against rotation thereony by a bar 17 engaging-one end orportion of said carriage 16, so that rotation of the worm causesamovement of the carriage longitudinally thereon and of a stylus 20,mounted on said carriage, to move across a chart 21, rotated by saidtrain of gears, tol'eave an ink marking upon the chart.

The stylus 20 comprises essentially a receptacle or barrel portion 25and a marker portion 26. The receptacle 20 is preferably tubular in forminto thev top of which is fitted a cap 28, preferably screwethreadedtherein. vThe marking fluid, such as ink 29, as hereinafter described,within the barrel is fed upwardly by absorption by means of a wick 30,said wickextending upwardly through a tube 31 to the marker portionv 26,the end of said wick being exposed to the air, as shown in the drawing,and as hereinafter described. The tube 31 extends through cap 28 and hasmounted on its upper end the marker portion 26. The stylus is mounted,by means to be hereinafter described, so that the barrel hangssubstantially vertically at al1 times, and the marker portion is mountedupon tube 31 so as to engage the recording chart' substantiallynormally. A branch passage extends axially of the marker portion andcommunicates with the tube 31 andthe wick therein, so that CII ink fedupwardly by said wick enters passage 35 and passes therethrough to themarking point 37 of nozzle 36. The passage 35 is preferably constructedas shown 1n the detail drawing of Fig. 4. A tube 48 has inserted thereina short nozzle 36 preferably iliade of a hard metal or alloy, such asplatinum-iridium. This nozzle is relatively short and besides fittingthe tube 48 tightly is further secured against pushing back by' a dropof solder 50". tube 48 is also inserted another tube 49 havingapproximately the same bore as the nozzle 36 and a slightly smalleroutside diameter so that it fits relatively loosely into the bore oftube 48. The tube 49 projects rearwardly beyond the end of tube 48 andpasses through a hole 50 in the wall. of the wlck tube 31 and. makesContact with the wick therein. The bores of tube 49 and nozzle 36 are ofcapillary dimensions, preferably about .005, and the ink will readilyfiow from the wick through this capillary passage until it reaches thetip 37 of the nozzle 36. This channel is substantially horizontal andthe surface tension which draws the ink through this passage is notrequired to lift the ink against the force of gravity, this latter Workbeing done by the wick. The tube 48 fits the bore of the marker barrel26 with sufficient friction so as to be retained; thereby but isremovable for cleaning and replacement. The rearward motion of this tube48 is definitely limited by striking against the outside of the tube 31,the hole 50 being too small to permit its further inward movement.

To insure a long continued supply of ink with a single filling of thereservoir, I prefer to use a suitable intense color, such as eosine oraniline violet dissolved to'saturation in a hygroscopic medium, such aspure glycerine. The reservoir being filled with an ink of thischaracter, the wick carries the thick fluid up to its top. At this pointthe upper end of the Wick being exposed tothe air, the hygroscopic inktakes up water therefrom and is consequently thinned to acertain extentand correspondingly increased in volume. This more uid ink fiows readilythrough the capillary channel 35 and does not overflow at the orifice 37on account of the restraining surface tension at that point, but isreadily taken up by the paper chart when in contact therewith. Theoutside of the nozzle 36 is purposely made slightly greasy by rubbing itwith the fingers, but the bore thereof4 and the whole of channel 35-have all traces of grease carefull removed. If this is not done the inkwi l not flow steadily.

A vent pipe 40 is providedto equalize barometi'ic changes, and torelieve the vacuum which would otherwise restrict the flow of inkupwardly through the wick.

Into the rear end of the The bore of the vent pipe 40 is larger thanthat of channel 35, being preferably about .020'

To mount the stylus upon its carriage so that the receptacle or barrel25 will always be supported vertically, and the-marker restsubstantially normally to the surface of the recording chart, the st lusis rotatably mounted in a bore forme in a sleeve 42 at thel end of anarm 41 of the carriage 16, so that the weight of the receptacle 25 willserve to maintain the stylus normally vertical. To prevent movement ofthe stylus in and out of its mounting there may be provided a spring 45fixed at one end in the carriage 16 and having its other end extendingthrough a slot 46 in sleeve 42, to enable it to lodge in a peripheralgroove 47 in the marker portion 26. The marker portion and the entirestylus are thus held duly in position within the sleeve 42, withoutinterfering with the rotary movement of the stylus in order to insurethe receptacle or barrel 25 being supported in vertical position at alltimes.

The above described stylus by its economical feeding and utilization -ofthe marking fluid, and by the use of a hygroscopic ink is capable of usefor many months with but a single filling. y,

I have herein described a preferred embodiment of my invention, but itwill be understood that various changes maybe made within the scope ofthe annexed claims.

Having thus described my said invention what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle forholding a marking fluid, a tube having one end in communication withsaid receptacle, means within said tube for conduct-ing the fluidthere-- through from said receptacle, and a marker mounted on andadjacent the other end of said tube, and having a capillary passagecommunicating with said tube and said conducting means, substantially asspecified.

2. A device of the character describedcomprising a receptacle forholding a marking fluid, a tube having one end secured within saidreceptacle, a Wick disposed within said tube lfor conducting the fluidtherethrough from said receptacle, and a marker l end of said tube beingopen to expose said wick to the air, and a. marker mounted on said tubeintermediate the ends thereof; said marker having a passagecommunicating with said tube for withdrawing the fluid from said wickadjacent to the exposed end thereof, substantially as specified.

4. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle-forholding a mark- 4ed on and adjacent the other end of said tube; saidmarker having a passage communicating with said tube, and a wick withinsaid tube for conveying the fluid from said receptacle to said passage,substantially as specified.

6. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle forholding a marking fluid and adapted to be mounted substantiallyvertically, a vertically disposed tube having one end in communicationwith said receptacle, a marker mounted on and adjacent the other end ofsaid tube and substantially horizontally; said marker having a capillarypassage communicating with said tube and extending to the outer end ofthe marker, and means in said tube for conducting the fluid to a pointabove said passage to provide a surplus of fluid, substantially asspecified.

7. A device of the character described comprising a tubular receptaclefor holding a marking fluid, a vertically disposed tube having one-endin'connection with said receptacle, a horizontally disposed markermounted on and adjacent the other end of said tube; said marker having acapillary passage communicating with said tube, and a wick in said tubefor conducting the fluid to a point above said passage to provide asurplus of fluid, said wick being exposed to the air for the purpose ofallowing it to take up moisture therefrom, substantially as specified.

8. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle forholding a hygroscopic marking fluid', a tube having one end incommunication with said receptacle, a wick disposed within said tube forconducting tlsie fluid therethrough from said receptacle; said tubebeing open to expose a portion of said wick to the air for the purposeof allowing it to take in moisture therefrom, and a marker having apassage communicating with said tube for withdrawing the fluid from saidwick adjacent to the eX- posed portion thereof, substantially asspecified. f

9. A device 0f the character 'described comprising a closed receptacleforholding a hygroscopic marking fluid, a tube secured within saidreceptacle, a wick disposed within said tube lfor conducting fluidtherethrough from said receptacle; said tube being open at its outer endto expose the end only of said wick to the air for the purpose ofallowing it to take up moisture therefrom, a marker communicating withsaid tube near its outer end for withdrawing the fluid from said wick,and an air vent in said receptacle, substantially as specified.

10. A device of the character described comprising a tubular receptacle,a cover therefor, a tube mounted in said cover andl arranged partlywithin and partly without said receptacle, a wick disposed in said tube,a member secured to said tube and extending laterally therefrom andprovided with a passage communicating with said tube, and a nozzle atthe outer Iend of said member having an opening therethroughcommunicating 'with the passage in said member, substantially asspecified.

ll. A device of the character described comprising a tubularVreceptacle, a cover therefor, a tube mounted in said cover and arrangedpartly Within and partly without said receptacle, a wick disposed insaid tube, a member secured to said tube and extending laterallytherefrom and pro-vided with a pas- Sage communicating with said tube, anozzle at the outer end of said member having an opening therethroughcommunicating with the passage in said member, and an air vent providedin said cover, substantially as specified.

12. A device of the character described comprising a tubular receptacle,Va cover therefor, a tube mounted in said cover and arranged partlyWithin and partly without said receptacle, a wick disposed in said tube,a member secured to said tube and extending laterally therefrom andprovided with a passage communicating with said tube, a nozzle at theouter end of said member having an opening therethrough communicatingwith the passage in'said member, and a tube secured in said cover andcommunicating with the interior of said tubular receptacle; said tubehaving its upper end extending upwardly above said cover, substantiallyas specified.

13. A device of the character described comprising a. supporting member,a receptacle, and a marker connected to said receptacle at the upper endthereof and extending laterally relative thereto; said marker beingljournaled horizontally in said supporting member for movement about itslongitudinal axis, whereby to support said receptacle in a positionmaintained vertical by gravity, substantially as specified.

14. A mounting for a device of the character described comprising asupporting member, said device having a portion journaled in saidsupporting member, and means permitting of a rotary movement of saiddevice in said supporting member while preventing withdrawal of saiddevice therefrom, said means comprisingr a locking member carriedby saidsupporting member, said portion having a peripheral groove in which saidlocking member engages, substantially as specified.

15. A mounting for a device of the char:- acter described comprising asupporting member, said device having a receptacle ada ted to bepositioned substantially vertica ly, and a marker adapted to bepositioned substantially horizontally, said marker. being journaled insaid supporting member, and means for preventing movement of saidmarker, axially in said member, substantially as specified.

16. A mounting for a device of the charl acter described comprising asupporting member, said device having a tubular receptacle adapted to bepositioned substantially vertically and a marker adapted to bepositioned substantially horizontally; said marker being journaled in.said supporting member, and means for preventing movement of said markeraxially in said member, said means comprising a spring member fixed atone end to said supporting member, and said marker having a peripheralgroove with which the other end of said springmember engages,substantially as specified.

17. A mounting for a device of the character described comprising asupporting member, said device having a tubular receptacle adapted to bepositioned substantially vertically and a marker adapted to bepositioned substantially horizontally, said marker being journaled insaid supporting member, and means for preventing movement of said markeraxially in said member, said means comprising a spring memberfixcd atone end to said supporting member and said marker having a peripheralgroove adapted to receive the free end of said spring member, saidsupporting member having a slot to receive the free end of saidspringmemberI to said marker, substantially as specified.

A18. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle for'holding' a marking fluid, a tube having one end in communication withsa'd receptacle, and a marker mounted adjacent the other end of saidtube, said marker having a feed passage therein, a tube removablymounted in said passage, and a nozzle mounted in said second tube,substantially as specified.

19. A. device of the character described comprising a receptacle forholding a marking fluid, a tube having one end in communication withsaid recept-acle, and a marker mounted adjacent the other end of saidtube, said marker having a feed a tube removably mounted-1n saidpassage, afeed-tube loosely mounted in said second tube andcommunicating with said firstnam'ed tube, and a nozzle mounted in saidsecond tube,"substantially as specified.

20. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle forholding a marking fluid, a tube having one end in communication withsaid receptacle, and a marked mounted adjacent the othery end -of saidtube, said marker having a feed passage therein, a wick in said tube forconducting thev fluid to said passage, a tube removably mounted in saidpassage, a feedtube loosely mounted in said second tube, said first tubehaving an opening through which said feed Vtube extends to engage saidwick, and a nozzle fixed in said second tube atl the outer end thereof,substantially as specified.

21. A' device of the character described comprising a receptacle forholding a marking fluid, a tube having one end projected into andsecured to said receptacle, the other end of said tube being open toatmosphere, a wick extending through said tube from end to end andhaving one end projected into the receptacle below the tubes end, andhaving its other end exposed to atmosphere aty the open end of saidtube, a marker mounted on said tube adjacent said other end, said markercomprising a body having an aperture to fit on said tube and havmg a'capillary duct leading from the wick adjacent its exposed end to theoutlet end of the marker.

22. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle'forholding a marking fluid, a tube having one end projected into andsecured to said receptacle, the other end of said tube being open toatmosphere, a wick extendingthrough said tube from end to end and havingone end projected into the receptacle below the tubes end, and

having its other end exposed to atmosphere at the open end of said tube,a marker mounted on said tube adjacent said other end, said tube havingan opening in its side wall adjacent said other end, said marker havinga capillary duct registering with said opening for thev purposesspecified.

Signed at the city of New York, in the county and State of New York,this 16th day of May, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three.

- DIMMITT R. LOVEJ OY.

assage therein,

